[Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm

Thu Jan 15 19:53:54 EST 2004

With the pedestal type can you remove the pedestal?  The location is the
spot where I step after coming up the ladder, where I swing my leg over the
rail.

It has stopped snowing in Michigan.  Now it is just plain cold. 10 above.

----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Pihlaja <cen09402 at centurytel.net>
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 6:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm

> Bryan,
>
> Yeah, I just came in from snowblowing and shoveling myself.  Quite a
> workout!
>
> Like many things nautical, there is more than one way to mount a
Tillerpilot
> on a Rhodes 22 and each method involves tradeoffs.  I choose the pedestal
> mount on top of the gunnel & top-mounted pin connection on the tiller.
The
> other popular option is to use the bracket that hangs below the tiller &
> mount the Tillerpilot onto the side of the gunnel.  The pin connection on
> the tiller is much less intrusive than than the bracket when you are not
> using the autopilot.  The underhanging bracket will always be a leg
scraper
> for the helmsman.  In addition, there will have to be a teak or plastic
> block mounted on the side of the gunnel for attaching the other end of the
> servo.  The side of the gunnel is pretty prime backrest real estate for
the
> helmsman in that area of the cockpit & I didn't want the block of wood
> poking me in the back.  In contrast, the pedestal mount will fit between
> your legs if you want to sit up on the gunnel.  OK, you can't sit on it
with
> either of your butt cheeks; but, solving this problem involves only moving
a
> few inches fore or aft.  In addition, you must also make provision for the
> servo's electrical connection.  I used a bulkhead mount multipin connector
> mounted on top of the gunnel a few inches from the pedestal mount.  This
> connector has a screw-on weather cap permanently attached via a chain.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Roger Pihlaja
> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "bchilds1" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 10:57 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
>
>
> > Roger,
> >
> > Thanks.  I have reviewed the owners manual and it has all the sketches
to
> > explain the correct installation.  Now I understand your instructions.
> >
> > Just shoveled 11 inch of snow in the driveway and I am out of breath.
> > Fortunately it was the powder kind.
> >
> > Thanks again.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Roger Pihlaja <cen09402 at centurytel.net>
> > To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 3:33 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> >
> >
> > > Hi Byran,
> > >
> > > In the FAQ re my installation of the Autohelm ST1000+ Tillerpilot on
> > Dynamic
> > > Equilibrium, it was assumed that the reader would already have the
> > Autohelm
> > > installation instruction manual.  This installation manual is pretty
> well
> > > written & there are plenty of explanations, photos, & diagrams
> explaining
> > > the various installation options, including the type of installation
> > > required for a Rhodes 22.  Without the ST1000+ installation manual,
you
> > are
> > > going to be lost trying to figure out the installation.  The parts
list
> in
> > > the FAQ gives the Autohelm P/N's and quantities required to complete
the
> > > installation.  These pieces/parts are listed separately because they
are
> > NOT
> > > included in the standard ST1000+ package.
> > >
> > > The reason for the pedestal mount is because the port & starboard side
> > > gunnels are not at the same vertical height as the tiller.  In order
for
> > the
> > > Tillerpilot to work properly, when the rudder is pointed amidships,
the
> > > Tillerpilot servo must be mounted perpendicular to the tiller in both
> the
> > > horizontal and vertical planes.  The pedestal mount raises up the
bottom
> > of
> > > the Tillerpilot's servo push/pull rod to just above the top of the
> tiller
> > so
> > > that the two pieces can be joined with a quick-disconnect pin.  If
this
> > > proper geometric relationship is not established during the
> installation;
> > > then, the rudder movement vs. servo movement relationship will not be
as
> > the
> > > Tillerpilot's controller is programmed to expect.  The effect upon the
> > > Tillerpilot's ability to steer the boat will be unpredictable.
> > >
> > > I now have several seasons of use on my ST1000+ Tillerpilot on Dynamic
> > > Equilibrium.  The system has been bulletproof.  It has plenty of power
&
> > is
> > > sufficiently quick responding to hold a set course at least as well as
a
> > > human helmsman.  Like any autopilot, it has the most trouble holding
the
> > set
> > > course on a run or a broad reach in a following sea.  However, such
> > > conditions are challenging for a human helmsman as well.  Also, the
> > > autopilot does not have any way of assessing wind shifts or wave
> patterns.
> > > In my experience, a sharp crew, actively sailing the boat, will
average
> > 15 -
> > > 25% greater speed over the autopilot by taking advantage of headers
and
> > > lifts and wave opportunities for surfing.  But, for getting from point
A
> > to
> > > point B with a minimum of attention, the ST1000+ Tillerpilot on a
Rhodes
> > 22
> > > works great!  If you specified a bigger autopilot, all you would do is
> add
> > > weight, cost, and power consumption to your installation without any
> > > significant benefits in terms of reliablity or performance.
> > >
> > > Unfortunately, Dynamic Equilibrium is stored away for the winter in a
> > place
> > > where I cannot easily take photos of the autopilot installation.  If,
> > after
> > > reading the Autohelm manual, you still have specific questions; then,
> > > contact me & I will try to help you.
> > >
> > > Roger Pihlaja
> > > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "bchilds1" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>
> > > To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 9:05 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > >
> > >
> > > > I would love to see the picture because I am having difficulty
> figuring
> > > out
> > > > the installation from Roger's instructions.
> > > > Is it a digital picture you can send?
> > > >
> > > > I want to be ready to make this installation because I am thinking
of
> > > > trailering down to the Keys and celebrating my retirement in the
warm
> > > > climate.
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: Eaton, Gil <GEaton at IKON.com>
> > > > To: 'The Rhodes 22 mail list' <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 5:23 AM
> > > > Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Bryan,
> > > > > I have a picture of the Raymarine TP1000+ mounted on Closing Time.
> > > > > I used Roger's instructions, shaded the installation a bit to
clear
> > the
> > > > > captain's chair and the hiking stick retainer, so it's somewhat
less
> > > than
> > > > > the recommended 18 inches (as I remember).  I think Sailnet had a
> good
> > > > deal
> > > > > on it, included the remote for less than 400 bucks.  The parts
came
> > from
> > > > > Defender (I think), installed it over a year ago.
> > > > > Good Luck,
> > > > > gil
> > > > >
> > > > > Gil Eaton
> > > > > S/V Closing Time
> > > > > Spring Cove Marina
> > > > > Rock Hall, MD
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> > > > > [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org]On Behalf Of bchilds1
> > > > > Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 11:44 PM
> > > > > To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
> > > > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks. I did not acquire that information from looking at the on
> line
> > > > > catalog from sailnet.  I thought that they all had a digital
> readout.
> > > My
> > > > > boat is all shrink rapped sitting in the harbor parking lot here
is
> > > > > Michigan.  I don't want to disturbed the nice cover but I am
trying
> to
> > > > plan
> > > > > for a quick installation of an autohelm.  One end would I need to
be
> > > > secured
> > > > > to the tiller and the other on the deck.  In the information
> published
> > > by
> > > > > Roger Pihlaja, he indicates a 3 inch pedestal mount (I am assuming
> > that
> > > > this
> > > > > is for the deck, but why would it need to come up 3 inches off the
> > deck)
> > > > and
> > > > > 2  five inch pushrod extensions (I am assuming that this is adding
> > > length
> > > > to
> > > > > the unit so that it can attach to the tiller.  Some guidance  in
> your
> > > > > installation would be appreciated.
> > > > >
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: Michael Meltzer <mjm at michaelmeltzer.com>
> > > > > To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > > > Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 5:10 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > yes have both, the problem with the tp20 is that it does not
have
> a
> > > > > digital readout, kinds of point the boat than lock it in.. I
> > > > > > almost had my head handed to me coming in short handed at night,
> > > > running
> > > > > a bouty line, it was taking to long with the tp20 to set
> > > > > > up the next leg and I was never sure what cource was set. get
the
> > > > > Autoheml.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > MJM
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > From: "bchilds1" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>
> > > > > > To: <Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > > > > Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 10:31 PM
> > > > > > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Since I am about to retire I have spent some time studying up on
> the
> > > > > addition of an auto helm. I plan to do more single handed
> > > > > > cruising.  I have reviewed the information collected on the
> Rhodes22
> > > FAQ
> > > > > page but have some additional questions for the experts out
> > > > > > there. I see that many have used the Raymarine or Raytheon auto
> > helm.
> > > > Does
> > > > > anyone have experience with the Simrad TP20 auto helm?
> > > > > > For about the same money as the ST1000 it has a little more
thrust
> > > (154#
> > > > > vs 125#)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Also, does anyone have some pictures of the installation, mainly
> at
> > > the
> > > > > deck attachment.  I plan to install it myself since I have
> > > > > > experience with fiberglass, etc and feel comfortable with the
> > > > > installation.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >  Bryan
> > > > > > "Escape"
> > > > > >  Rhodes 22
> > > > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > --
> > > > ----
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Name: tp1k.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 219183 bytes Desc: not
> available
> > > > > Url:
> > > >
> http://www.rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/attch/200401/13/tp1k.jpg
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > --
> > > > ----
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > __________________________________________________
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> > > >
> > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
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>